THE JOURNEY OF JAMES WALLACE

As I sat there, watching survival shows on the Discovery Channel, I glanced outside for a brief minute. I had always wanted to survive on my own in and off of the wild, but I was well aware of all the dangers that lurked in the forests of Gladwin County among them were the Massasauga Rattlesnake, rabid animals, the wolverine, mosquitoes, and the far worst- Mother Nature. However, I decided to face my fears head on by inserting myself into the woods and camping out for 2 days and 2 nights. Prior to departure, two questions bombarded my mind; one: how would I get far away enough from civilization, and two: what supplies would I need? It took me around an hour to list needed supplies (a sleeping bag, Swiss Army Knife water bottles, matches, and a .22 rifle for hunting food) versus wanted supplies (pan for cooking food, flashlight, saw, lighter fluid, etc.). Eventually, I came up with this list of supplies: A sleeping bag Matches 2 water canteens A Swiss Army knife A semi-automatic .22 rifle Ammunition Book on wildlife ATV (for reaching the ends of society)

After gathering the needed supplies, I departed on this journey into the dark ages. I drove for a half an hour, trying to spot a good location. Eventually, I settled on a location that was on a river (upstream from the cabin in which I departed from). Once I got to my destination, I assessed the situation. The sky was clear, a sure forecast of future storms. I would need to build a shelter to keep myself dry. Shelter! I thought, as I quickly dismounted my Kawasaki to begin pursuing shelter-building materials. After much searching, I came up with my assortment of building materials, including many long logs, some sticks that would be used as an

exoskeleton, some leaved branches to provide cover from the rain, and some vine to use as makeshift rope. Ok, I thought, Now I must construct my home. I attempted to build a 2-room domed hut, which collapsed as I exited. I then decided to create a lean-to design, which didnt nearly provide enough living space. Then, with my third attempt, I constructed a 1-roomed hut. After creating windows on 2 sides of my shelter, I thought of how I would cook food and stay warm. An area for fire! I thought. I quickly evaluated a good location for a fire pit, and dug a hole where I thought would be a good location. Then, it occurred to me that I would need fuel for my fire. Instead of risking getting lost, I used some leftovers from my home-building. I felt a slight lack of something, however. It then occurred to me: I hadnt eaten before I left! I walked towards a raspberry plant I noticed on my way to my shelter, and gathered a wide assortment of small and large berries. I snacked on half of my bounty while hiking back to my shelter, planning to save some for dessert later. Once back at my lodging, I set down my berries into the glove box of my ATV (which would serve as my cupboard). Remembering that I didnt have refrigeration to keep my food fresh, I propped the backup seat into a fashion that would remind me to eat my berries. Now that my priorities were in order, I thought resting for a small amount of time would help calm my inner spirits, and I dozed off. Upon waking, I noticed that some birds were trying to get into my mock cupboard. I quickly rose to my feet to shoo the fowl away. After all the birds had departed, I looked around. There were 3 deer (a doe and two fawns) standing still as a statue in the river. They must have been trying to cross the river while I was in my slumber, I thought to myself. I froze. Hours had seemed to go by as I waited for my mammal friends to return to their journey, and once they left, I felt an empty feeling again. I was hungry again. Not wanting to trail the deer into the woods and disturb them by hunting, I looked into the opposite direction. My eyes feasted upon another source of food:

the stream I was camped next to would be home to suckers, trout, crayfish, and frogs for me to snack upon. Not having brought a fishing pole, I tried to locate some crayfish. After finding two of a satisfying size, I (after saying a prayer to God, asking for forgiveness for slaying these two creatures) killed the crustaceans. Now having found my supper, I turned my attention to cooking it. I attempted to light a fire 2 times before reaching success and getting a roaring campfire. I fashioned a cooking mechanism that would rotate my meal to avoid burning it. After cooking for 15 minutes, I dug in; cracking the shells and looking for meat. Once my stomach had reached its overfill point, I passed out from pure lack of rest I woke up around 8 a.m. when a turkey gobbled near me. Normally, if it was hunting season for turkeys, I would have taken the bird. However: the turkey is a strictly protected animal due to its scarcity nowadays. Instead, I decided to admire the beast from the safety of my hut. Once my watch alarm went off to start my day, the turkey ran away, terrified at such a noise. I arose, stretched, and ate the rest of my berries for breakfast. Afterwards, I noticed emptiness. It wasnt hunger, as I just ate. I figured it must have been thirst. After draining my canteen, I was thirsty no more. Todays agenda included finding something to purify water in, hunting for more fish to eat, and preparing for the inevitable storm that was closing in on me. I decided to go in order. I jumped into the river, hastily washed myself, and began a trek upstream to look for a can or something worth keeping. Prior to leaving I fashioned a knife-necklace to attach my knife to so I wouldnt lose it. After testing its capabilities, I set out. About 200 yards upstream, I didnt only notice an abandoned coffee can, but also a great spot to harvest fish. I found a tall log, and buried it in the middle of the river (so I wouldnt miss the spot where I was). I then walked back to my hut. I quickly snatched up the rifle, loaded it with a 10-round magazine, but did not cock the weapon (as I didnt want any mishaps this far back in the woods). I then slowly and carefully waded my way back to my fish-hole, and clambered to shore. I set up a position near the area where I could easily aim at a fish swimming back to its home. After camping out, I waited for a long time. After nearly 5 hours of waiting, I was tired of being mosquito food. Just as I was about to rise, I saw it- a long, maybe 18 inch long trout, swimming in open water. I cocked my weapon, disengaged the safety, and

adjusted the zoom on my scope to hopefully get a good shot at the fish. I aimed: BANG! The short trigger pull had surprised me. Unfortunately, I had wounded the fish! I quickly aimed at the fish again, hoping to end its misery BANG! This shot took the fish. I jumped up, cleared my weapon and engaged the safety, and rushed to the scene of my fish. I knew that if I didnt reach the animal fast enough, its lungs would fill up with water and the animal would sink. Fortunately, I reached it in time and quickly snatched it out of the water. I shouldered my rifle, grabbed the coffee can I saw earlier, and (with boosted spirits) hurried back to my home base. Upon arrival, I gutted the fish and cooked it quickly, not wanting it to spoil in the hot summer sun. Once it was cooked, I feasted upon it, after saying my prayers to God. Later that evening, around 8:30, I heard a distant, rumbling sound. Thunder. I quickly prepared for a storm; I covered the ATVs engines, placed my rifle into its case, and hid in my shelter. I read for 15 minutes until the storm was on top of me. High winds were breaking branches around me, left and right. Hail began to fall. As I was putting my book away, a sudden wind gust blew apart my shelter. I heard a sound that made me panic; a tornado siren! I immediately gathered my things, started the ATV, turned on the lights (as it was pitch black), and started the engine. I revved it a couple times to quickly warm it up, then shifted past first gear into second to get a quick start. I drove back to my familys cabin faster that a cheetah, and upon arrival, the storm had shifted and parted. The high winds, rains, hail and tornado sirens all stopped. I figured, Either the storm has passed, or this is the calm before the tornado. Instinctively, I rushed to the cabin and took refuge in the bathroom. Once I arrived, my Dad was walking outside. Turn around, son, my father said. Why, I replied? The storms over, he replied and then added, Time to look at the clouds in the distance.

Then, my father and I opened a root beer and relaxed on the deck, watching the storm clouds and lightning in the distance. I realized that I had changed while in the wilderness. I had a different outlook on life. I realized how lucky I was that I had a roof to sleep under, and that I had meats already harvested for me. I had the easy life. Then, one more thing crossed my mind. When will I do that again? I thought this as I fell asleep